My boyfriend of two years left for Bangalore this June. Now I’ve met a guy who is really sweet and caring. I can’t break up because our families know about us. But I want to be with this new guy. Help.
Name and address withheld
Listen you greedy little gorgon. Make up your mind or else you’ll become a serial adulterer. I know this whole nonsense that two birds in the bush are always more attractive than one in the hand but this is not the way life works. If however, you are enjoying this, then to hell with the families. If you could do this to the man who loves you, you can easily be cruel and dismissive of your wretched parents so why the guilt? By the way, do you have a sister?
I can’t study because my dad plays loud music in his room. However, if I listen to music he gets angry with me.
Mohit, Calcutta
What a lovely relationship you have with your father. How sweet. You guys fight over the decibel volume of your music. I mean I know this world is full of dolts and twits, but never have I seen such an amazing dog and pony show. Why don’t you both sign up for the next India’s Got Talent show and I’d like to see this amazing relationship play out even more. Look son, as long as your father owns the house, he calls the shots. I suggest one of you jokers buys a pair of headphones. If you can’t afford it, get your mother or someone to steal it from the next Kingfisher flight. Okay son?
I’m a 15-year-old boy. My parents were furious to hear that I am interested in being an automobile engineer or a Moto GP racer.
Name and address withheld.
So here’s what I would do. Leave home and join the nearest garage to my house: well in this case, your house just so that you get the drift. I would then start working as a mechanic because from how you sound, you are too much of a wimp and a whiner to even get to a Grand Prix, leave alone race in it. If all else fails, write to Vijay Mallya and he might consider you as a stable-boy first and then follow it up with a position in Force India. Till then, I suggest just travel in vehicles and work towards a serious career.
HELP AT HAND
Alcoholics anonymous
10A, Nandan Road, Near Ganja Park, Calcutta - 25
Ph: 2419 1174
For free help on alcoholism
E-mail: aakolkata_ig03@rediffmail.com
(2p.m. to 6p.m. Mondays through Saturdays)
Al-Anon (for families and friends of alcoholics)
Ph : 98309 93132
(2p.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays)
www.india.al-anon.alateen.org
Narcotics anonymous (Kolkata area helpline)
Ph: 9836223071; www.nakolkata.org
Email: info@nakolkata.org
Self-help group of recovering addicts
HelpAge India
1800-345-1253
Free helpline for the elderly for social, legal, economical, financial counselling and also access to government schemes and policies
Lifeline Foundation
Ph: 2463 7401/ 2463 7432
Free helpline for the depressed or suicidal
(10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturdays)
Sparsha
AE-36, Rabindra Pally, PO: Prafulla Kanan, Calcutta - 01
Ph: 2591 0334, 2591 3852, 6529, 9856
Free tele-counselling and one-on-one counselling on personal relationships and HIV/ AIDS
(10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays)
Pronam
38/1, Beltala Road,Calcutta - 19
Senior Citizen’s Emergency
Co-ordination Control Room
Ph: 2419 0740
